11 June 2012

Top performing colleges and learners awarded

At a glittering ceremony at the Venue Cymru Llandudno on 31 May, outstanding learners and teachers were recognised as the top performers across colleges in Wales, and six colleges were awarded for driving improvements that benefit learners.

ColegauCymru’s Annual Awards recognise outstanding achievements by learners, teachers and colleges and the quality of submissions for the ColegauCymru Awards 2012 was notably high. Taking inspiration from the Olympics, ‘Raising the Bar’ was the theme of the day’s annual conference and the evening’s award ceremony.

Indeed, coinciding with annual conference and award ceremony, the Minister for Education Leighton Andrews, in his letter to colleges outlining the Welsh Government’s priorities for the further education sector, states: “In recent years, the FE sector has gone from strength to strength”.

Dr John Graystone, ColegauCymru Chief Executive, said: “With the Deputy Minister for Skills Jeff Cuthbert delivering a highly positive speech to the annual conference and with the Minister for Education Leighton Andrews’ timely letter in which he recognises colleges substantial achievements, it was fitting that the evening ended with showcases of the very best of college practices.

“Congratulations to all the winners and to those who were shortlisted.  These awards ensure that best practice is properly recognised. The awards are also central to colleges’ continual efforts to raise standards across the board by learning from the best.”

The winners are:

• Governance: joint winners Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Deeside College
• Promoting Inclusive Learning: Coleg Sir Gâr
• Quality Partnerships: Coleg Sir Gâr
• Higher Education in Further Education: Bridgend College
• Investing in Staff Development: Bridgend College
• Teaching and Learning: Yale College Wrexham

In addition to the seven categories of ColegauCymru Awards 2012 open to colleges, the ColegauCymru Awards 2012 also recognised two individuals: a Learner of the Year and a Teacher of the Year. 

Dr John Graystone continued: “It is important that we remember at all times that the purpose of colleges is to support learners in reaching their goals. Excellent teachers are key to enabling learners achieve, and it is right that they are recognised on the national stage. Congratulations to Sara Davies of Bridgend College and Helen Hodgkinson of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, who were jointly awarded the Teacher of the Year Award against a very strong shortlist.

“Outstanding learners are of course the success story of colleges. Congratulations to the winner David Bowen of Coleg Sir Gâr in winning the Learner of the Year Award.  He is an outstanding role model with a WorldSkills Medallion of Excellence already under his belt.”

Dr Graystone continued: “The ColegauCymru Awards 2012 not only benefit learners but also have a clear value to a wide range of highly-respected national organisations. We are delighted to have received sponsorship and strong support once again this year from: Agored Cymru, City & Guilds/ILM, Pearson, OCR Cymru, RSC Wales, Tribal Education and the Welsh Government.”

--------------------------------------Ends------------------------------------

Contact: Sylvia Davies on 029 2052 8384 or 07968 771913.

Notes to editors:

1. ColegauCymru / CollegesWales is the national educational charity that represents all 19 further education (FE) colleges and institutions in Wales. Its mission is to raise the profile of further education with key decision-makers to improve opportunities for learners in Wales. For further information about ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, and the colleges it represents, visit www.colegaucymru.ac.uk or www.collegeswales.ac.uk

2. The awards ceremony took place in the evening of 31 May 2012 at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

3. Photographs of the award winners are available on request.

4. The categories of the ColegauCymru / CollegesWales Awards 2012 and their sponsors (in brackets) with the shortlisted colleges and winners (w):

Awards for Individuals

• Learner of the year (ColegauCymru / CollegesWales): David Bowen, Coleg Sir Gâr (w); Rhys Willett, Cardiff and Vale College; William Antony, Yale College Wrexham; Rebecca Jones, Deeside College.
• Teacher of the year (RSC Wales): Helen Hodgkinson, Grwp Llandrillo Menai (w); Sara Davies, Bridgend College (w); Simon Haslam, Pembrokeshire College; Jonathon Shaw Deeside College.

Awards for Institutions

• Governance (Tribal): Grŵp Llandrillo Menai (w); Deeside College (w); Gower College Swansea.
  Promoting Inclusive Learning (Agored Cymru): Coleg Sir Gâr (w); Coleg Harlech WEA (N); Pembrokeshire College.
• Quality Partnerships (OCR Cymru): Coleg Sir Gâr (w); Gower College Swansea; joint submission by Ystrad Mynach College, Coleg Morgannwg, Merthyr Tydfil College, Coleg Gwent.
• Higher Education in Further Education (Pearson): Bridgend College (w); Grŵp Llandrillo Menai; Coleg Morgannwg; Coleg Sir Gâr.
• Investing in Staff Development (City & Guilds / ILM): Bridgend College (w); Coleg Gwent; Gower College Swansea.
• Teaching and Learning (Welsh Government): Yale College Wrexham (w); Grŵp Llandrillo Menai; Deeside College.